India, Sept. 11 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and called for the need to protect the freedom of navigation and commerce, and the safety and well-being of seafarers, the external affairs ministry said in a press release.

He also stressed the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region, the ministry said in a statement.

The talks took place hours after the Iranian leader arrived in the national capital to attend the BRICS summit. It is Pezeshkian's first visit to India as president.

The visit assumes significance as it comes amid a sudden spike in overall tensions in West Asia following the US s...